Soooo Not Normal

P E T E R

I watch as the ambulance drives away with Tessa and Emma. Why didn't I go faster!? I think. You are an idiot! Cicily could die because you were too slow! And Tessa and Emma are both hurt! What is wrong with me? This is all my fault. What am I supposed to do now? Should I go to the hospital? Do I give an eyewitness report to the police? I'm sixteen! I shouldn't have to deal with this!

A crushing thought enters my mind. But Cicily is fourteen, and she might be dead.

I swing up to the top of a building. I can't breathe! I rip off my mask, taking a deep breath of fresh air.

"Okay, calm down, Peter. Let's make a plan. First, find the hospital Emma and Tessa are at. Okay, I can do that. Karen?" My A.I. switches on.

"Yes, Peter?" She asks in her trademarked monotone.

"Find all the nearest hospitals that just had three teenage girls admitted." I should probably go home and change first. I put my mask back on and start swinging back home as fast as possible. I swing through the streets, landing on my wall. I pry the window open and drop to the ground, quickly changing out of my suit. I pull out my phone and text Emma.

Hey is everyone okay?

Um no not really...

Oh, by the way, I'm coming over to the hospital. Which one are you at?

WHAT!? No that's suspicious!

Say I'm your boyfriend or something. Wow, that's creepy.

ew, gross no why would I do that?!

So I can make sure you're okay? Don't worry, you can break up with me tomorrow.

Why would you care if I'm okay?

Cause you're my lab partner, and it's my fault you're hurt.

Um, excuse me why is it your fault?

Cause I'm you know who and I didn't save you guys in time.

You're Voldemort?

Joking is not a good way to take care of your problems.

Oh, btw this is Tessa, not Emma. She is talking with Cicily's parents so I took her phone just now.

WHAT!? PLZ GET EMMA!

I can't. Don't worry, she just handed me the phone so I am the one who started geeking out on Harry Potter to you. Also, we are at St. Vincent's.

Oh um, thanks.

Are you and Emma dating?

WHAT?! NO!

Really? Cause you guys have great chemistry. The love kind, not the science one.

I'm sorry but no. Emma is too...

Bigheaded? Loud? Weird? Yeah ik. And also, that's my best friend. Only I get to insult her.

Okay! Geez, they're pretty close.

Good... I put my phone in my pocket and climbed out of the window. I texted May and told her that I was visiting a friend and probably would be back in time for dinner. I mean, Tessa and Emma probably wouldn't want me there. I hail a taxi and climb in the back.

"St. Vincent's hospital, please," I say to the driver. He looks at me, then starts driving. I pull open my phone and read through the text thread from Emma and Tessa. What did she mean they weren't okay? How could I have missed that? I decide to text her real fast.

Hey, Tessa do you still have Emma's phone? After a few minutes, I get a reply.

Yeah, why?

I was wondering if you guys were okay.

no.

Why?

Cicily didn't make it, Emma has a concussion, and I was unconscious for a while.

I'm so sorry.

Don't tell her parents that.

Why?

I got banned from talking to Cicily's parents. That's why I have Emma's phone.

You don't seem like that type.

I know.

For some reason, I had expected her to say more. Why? I mean, you barely know her. But she's funny and nice, and... Then I remember. And taken. And, hey, I mean, it's just a little crush. It'll go away. Right? I think. I mean when I liked Liz that didn't last... but she also moved away. Ugh, no I don't like Tessa that's- no, just no!

Then a little voice enters my head. Yeah, but there must be some reason why you like her.

I mean, yeah, she's smart, funny...

And you like her!

No!

Yes! Don't deny it!

I'm not! I don't like her! I think...

See! You do!

Whatever. Cause if I do? It's not like I have a chance with her. She has the most protective best friend and boyfriend and she HAS A BOYFRIEND!

So? People break up. Just wait for that.

Yeah right. Like she would ever go for me. She's way out of my league. I can practically hear Emma's voice agreeing with me. Yeah, dude, she is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of your league!

Emma is right. For once.

Ask Emma! She hates Tessa's boyfriend. She can break them up and give you advice on how to win over Tessa.

She would rather kill me.

Ask. No harm in asking.

Yes, harm. Physical, painful, bodily harm.

It wouldn't be that bad.

I'd be the one in the hospital.

Okay then...

See? It's a completely uphill battle.

So the real question is, is Tessa worth it? I had stumped myself.

I don't know. I mean... ugh, I'm only in high school I shouldn't have to worry about this. It's not like I'm going to marry her! Right? I mean, we're sixteen. It's a little weird to think about that right now...

The taxi comes to a stop. I pay my fare and get out of the car. I walk up to the visitor's center and ask to be admitted into Tessa Miller's room. They tell me her room number, and I walk to the elevator.

I select the third floor and watch as the doors slowly close. I'm in a haze, thinking about what to do about the Tessa situation when the elevator stops. The doors open, but before I can get out, a woman runs into the elevator, followed by what appears to be her husband. She's crying as I leave the elevator, and I realize that they must be Cicily's parents. I drop back down to earth. What is wrong with you? You're thinking about a stupid crush when someone died because of you!

I walk down to room 312, where Tessa is. What happened to her? She said she was unconscious but was there anything else? What if...

Word Count //1078 Words\\